Inquiry Implicates Ex-official

Report Says Man Harassed Women

MIAMI - — A former Metro-Dade Commissioner sexually harassed three female aides while he held public office, a state investigator has concluded.

The results of the inquiry into Larry Hawkins' behavior while in office will now be sent to the state's Commission on Ethics in Tallahassee, which monitors the conduct of elected officials.

The report, by hearing officer Susan Kirkland, concludes that Hawkins abused his office and recommends that he be fined $7,500.

Hawkins lost his bid for re-election last year amid accusations of sexual harassment by former female employees, In the 30-page report, Kirkland said there was proof that Hawkins made inappropriate remarks to women in his employ between 1988 and 1994.

To one aide, Hawkins said: "If I wasn't in this wheelchair, I would jump you right now."

He jabbed another aide in the breast with a pencil and looked down the blouse of third aide after asking her to pick up a bullet he had knocked off his desk. One woman said he asked her to come to his house and "join him in bed."

The women endured because they were afraid of being fired. Once the women filed complaints and an investigation was launched, all three lost their jobs.

On another matter, Kirkland said there was no proof that Hawkins had channeled a $50,000 county grant to the Easter Seal Society at a time when he had applied to run the organization. She also said there was no evidence he had thrown county business to an insurance company that employed him as a consultant.

Hawkins will have a chance to defend himself against Kirkland's findings at a hearing of the ethics commission. No time has been set for that hearing. Gov. Lawton Chiles will approve any penalties levied on Hawkins by the commission.